Council Hears Update From NCDOT On Downtown Traffic Changes

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A long-discussed plan to improve safety, traffic flow and parking in downtown Smithfield moved forward Tuesday night as the North Carolina Department of Transportation outlined proposed improvements along Market Street and several surrounding downtown streets.

Addison Gainey, Division 4 Project Development Engineer with NCDOT, presented updated plans to the Smithfield Town Council during its June 2 meeting.

The project centers on the NCDOT’s safety improvement project along Market Street (U.S. 70 Business) from Front Street to U.S. 301. At the town’s request, NCDOT has agreed to incorporate improvements on several town-owned side streets into the design and construction process, while the Town of Smithfield would be responsible for funding its share of those municipal improvements.

Market Street improvements funded by NCDOT include upgraded pedestrian crossings at all signalized intersections, ADA-compliant curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, accessible pedestrian signals with audible features, improved pedestrian countdown timing, street resurfacing, upgraded traffic signals, new directional signage and pavement markings.

Additional changes include widening travel lanes to 11 feet while maintaining buffer space near sidewalks, installing a raised concrete island between Front and Second streets to calm traffic entering downtown, reconfiguring lanes near U.S. 301 to improve left-turn capacity, adding emergency signal preemption at Fourth Street for the fire department, and constructing a dedicated left-turn lane at Third Street.

The downtown portion of the project would bring significant traffic pattern changes around the Johnston County Courthouse.

Under the proposal, Second Street would become a one-way southbound street from Bridge Street to East Johnston Street. Angled parking would be added on one side of the roadway, including handicap-accessible spaces near the courthouse.

East Johnston Street would become one-way eastbound between Second and Third streets, also featuring angled parking.

Third Street would become one-way northbound from East Johnston Street to Bridge Street, with angled parking added along one side of the roadway.

The project also calls for upgraded curb ramps and crosswalks throughout the area and a new all-way stop at the intersection of East Johnston and Second streets.

Gainey said NCDOT will provide a detailed cost estimate for the downtown side street improvements as design progresses.

While the state-funded Market Street work is fully funded by NCDOT, the Town of Smithfield will be required to participate financially in portions of the town-owned side street improvements.

One anticipated local expense involves pedestrian accessibility improvements funded through the Transportation Alternatives Program, which requires a 20 percent municipal cost share.

Town leaders also must decide how to address two aging municipal traffic signals that are not owned by NCDOT.

At Second Street and Bridge Street, town officials can choose to remove the signal and replace it with an all-way stop at an estimated cost of $30,000 or install a new traffic signal with pedestrian heads and pavement markings at an estimated cost of $155,000.

At Third Street and East Johnston Street, options include replacing the signal with an all-way stop at an estimated cost of $55,000, installing a new signal on existing poles for approximately $155,000, or constructing a completely new signal system with new poles and foundations at an estimated cost of $340,000.

NCDOT officials said the existing signals operate on outdated equipment and software and currently run fixed timing programs.

The project remains in the design phase.

According to Gainey, NCDOT expects to complete environmental documentation by August 2026. The town will provide direction on the future of the municipal traffic signals, after which NCDOT will incorporate those decisions into final plans.

The transportation department will then prepare detailed cost estimates for the town-owned improvements and enter into a Betterment Agreement with Smithfield outlining each party’s responsibilities.

NCDOT anticipates awarding a construction contract in December 2026.

Construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter and last approximately six to eight months. Officials said resurfacing, signal work, curb ramp upgrades and pavement marking activities affecting Market Street and the courthouse area will be performed at night to minimize traffic disruptions.

The proposal is the latest step in a broader effort to improve pedestrian safety, increase parking opportunities and enhance traffic circulation throughout downtown Smithfield while preserving access to businesses and government offices.